Translational research in the pharmaceutical industry: from theory to reality

Translational research is the collaboration between scientists and clinicians to identify novel targets and develop biomarkers that increase confidence in rationale and therefore help select the mechanisms that are most likely to lead to breakthrough therapies. Here, we describe examples of the utility of linked preclinical and clinical biomarkers to measure pharmacological effects, to estimate clinical dose range, to determine efficacy, and to determine differentiation compared with existing therapies. The use of pharmacogenomics to identify novel drug targets and define enriched patient subpopulations is also discussed. We illustrate how biomarkers and a deep understanding of disease biology are used to discover additional indications for licensed drugs.